chapter eighteen
Chayton
After leaving Elizabeth in the bathroom, I came downstairs to make her some of her favorite tea. My connection sparks to life and Enzo’s voice floats through my head.
“The bodies have been dealt with and the message has been sent.”
“Good. I’ll give him his two weeks, before I show up.”
His approval rumbles through my head. “I approve of this new you. Now go take care of our Luna.” The connection ends right as the tea kettle whistles its readiness.
I quickly pour her a cup and head upstairs. I step into the bathroom right as she’s stepping out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her. Beads of water cascade down her legs and shoulders.
Knowing she’s likely traumatized, helps me not to focus on her naked body. I’d like to think I have enough control of myself I can take care of her without desiring her sexually, apparently, I don’t.
Elizabeth goes to the sink and stands in front of the mirror. She uses her hand and wipes the condensation off the glass. Placing her hands palm down on the counter her shoulders slump forward and her head drops between them.
“I made you tea. I can leave it here…”
“Please don’t go,” she pleads in a soft voice.
I take the tea over to the sink and set the cup down. Leaning my back against the edge of the counter, I fold my arms across my chest. I make no move to talk or leave, and for a moment we sit in silence.
“I’m sorry.” She says.
My brows pinch in confusion. “About?”
She lets out a deep breath. “I should have told you this sooner.” She turns, placing her back against the sink copying me. “That day at the shoe store, David wasn’t the only confrontation I had.”
Turning to the side, leaning my hip against the counter, I wait for her to finish explaining.
“There was a shifter.” She goes on to tell me the entire exchange between the two. My blood boils for two reasons. One reason is because the scum scout had the audacity to threaten my mate. The second reason is because my mate didn’t tell me this before now.
“Do you lack belief in me? Is that why you chose to keep all this away from me?”
“No Chayton.” She clutches a hand to her chest. “It’s the opposite. You’re such a great Alpha. I was only trying to be a good Luna. Someone that’s bold and brave and didn’t need her mate to fight her battles for her. I wanted to be an asset to you and not a liability. I guess I failed.”
I drop my folded hands down to my side and step in front of her. My ire fading away at her admission. She lifts her head, and I cup her face.
“Listen to me, you can never be a liability and you didn’t fail. You just need to remember the Luna and the Alpha are a team. You are my strength and I’m yours. We handle things together. You got it?”
“Yes,” she smiles, and I love the way it lights up her face.
“I guess if we’re apologizing, I should say sorry too.” I let go of her face and step back giving her space.
“The more time goes by, the more I hate myself for allowing you to get caught up in this disaster. In the last four months, you’ve almost died at the hands of the council. You’ve dealt with hunters, a jealous vet, my cousin’s bullshit.” I sigh, dropping my shoulders. “And a broken mate.” I’m man enough to admit I’m flawed.
She lifts her head and turns to me, those hypnotizing brown eyes look back at me. “What are you talking about?”
“Let’s not pretend you haven’t noticed my issues.”
She ducks her head hiding her eyes from me. “You’re still in love with your ex.”
I fight with the truth of those words. Despite how much I want to deny them, Elizabeth is right.
“I won’t lie as if Kamyra hasn’t ruined me in some way. I have fears of disappointing you. Fears that I will do something that will make you change your mind and regret me. I’m trying hard to be everything you desire as a mate,” I say, for the first time being honest to her and myself.
“I’m not her,” she says stepping forward, making sure her gaze is locked on mine. “I’m not your ex, and I don’t ask you to be anything other than who you already are. A proud father, a kind and great Alpha, and a mate who cares enough about his Luna, he brings her tea when she’s scared. You don’t have to fear me changing my mind, because I’d never do anything to jeopardize that boy’s life. When I agreed to do this, I meant it.”
I take a step back feeling slightly let down. “Is that the only reason you would stay, for Miko?”
It’s an unfair question to ask her. I’m unable to give her my heart because I don’t hold the entirety of it. Most of it is in shambles on the ground in front of my old home on Springhill lands. Yet, I want her to want me. I have no right to feel this way, especially when the goddess has already blessed me with a true mate. However, I can’t get over how perfect Elizabeth fits into my life. I don’t understand how I can feel this strong of a connection to her when Kamyra is still out there.
She turns away from me, breaking the spell of her gaze. Her head dips between her shoulders again. I wait, hoping she will answer my question but as more time passes, I assume she won’t.
“I shouldn’t have…” I go to say at the same time she replies.
“He’s not the only reason.”
Again, silence surrounds us. My heart beats rapidly from what her answer means to us. My feet move me closer to her. I say that as if they have a mind of their own because I don’t remember telling them to do it.
She looks up at me, and even without tapping into her thoughts I can see in her eyes how she feels. The knowledge humbles, excites, and scares the fuck out of me all at the same time.
“I’m not perfect.” I take her hand in mine and place it against my chest. “All I have left of my heart is a small piece that I just recently discovered was still there. It’s not much, but I want to give it to you if you will have it? And maybe, I can earn a piece of yours.”
She takes my free hand and places it up against her heartbeat, never moving her other one from my chest. The slow thump of her heart vibrates against my palm.
“There isn’t a part of my heart you don’t already own, despite me trying to keep it from you.”
Those words are simple but exactly what I need to hear. I throw my hesitation and doubt out the window. Taking a step toward her, freeing my hands I place them on her lower back and pull her flush to me.
Both her hands now rest on my chest. My gaze locks onto the luscious lips that have had my attention from the day she opened her door to me. She sucks in a breath right as I press my mouth to hers. The first touch is like a shock to the system.
The kiss starts out soft and gentle, but it isn’t enough for me. I slide my tongue over the seam of her lips. She opens willingly for me. The moment I dip inside tasting the sweet taste of her, I press my hand to her back pulling her even closer, taking away the small inch of space between us.
She moans into my mouth and all reason leaves me. I bring my free hand up to cup her face and claim her mouth. I can’t get enough of the taste. The same way my tongue devours the sweet spot between her thighs it does the same with her kiss.
Elizabeth fists her hands in my shirt as if she’s afraid I might pull away. Seeing her possessive side for me makes me growl low in my chest. I pull back and rip the towel off from around her leaving her bare to my eyes. Never have I seen a more exquisite body.
My desire to have her, to claim her, to make her need me as desperately as I need her right now, claws through my veins.
“Bend her over. Mount her,” my wolf growls impatiently.
“Shut the hell up and let me do this.” I warn him.
I seal my mouth back to hers, nipping her sweet bottom lip. She gasps into our kiss when I lift her up. She immediately locks her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist until I place her down on the countertop.
Grabbing her under her full thighs, I then slide her to the edge of the sink without once breaking our kiss. She drops her hands from around my neck to fumble with my belt. I smile against her lips as she hastily undoes my belt and pants. She forces my jeans and underwear down beneath my ass, freeing me enough to get to what she wants.
She wraps her small hands around my cock, and it jerks in her grip. I pull away from her lips and place my forehead to hers. My chest rises and falls like I’ve run a marathon.
“Can I?” my voice sounds as if I’m begging which is fitting because I am. This time it will be different. I’m not taking her body out of obligation to soothe her heat, I’m claiming it for my pleasure alone. From here on out, we will put all our hesitation aside.
“Yes, Alpha,” she whispers, and I nearly shoot my load in her palm from hearing her call me by my title.
My wolf growls his approval and takes over my eyes. I imagine to her they are glowing.
“Me first,” he pleads.
I push him back down, no way will he get to be in the forefront when I sink into her.
I take control of my cock, moving her hand out of the way. Lining my head up to her heated entrance, I ease in slowly. She drops her head back and opens her mouth, yet no sound comes out. I fully seat myself in her depths feeling her tight channel squeeze me with a firm grip. She tightens her knees around my hips, as if she’s anxiously waiting for me to move.
Placing a hand at her cheek, I tilt her head back down. Our eyes meet. I need to see her face as I move inside her. Pulling out to the tip I rotate my hips as I move back into her. She opens her mouth again, and this time a moan comes out.
I start off slow, enjoying the wet sucking sound of her pussy accepting my length.
“Too slow. Faster.” my wolf begs.
Although he’s getting on my nerves, he’s right. I can only keep that speed for a short while before the craving to have her scream my name takes over. I speed up, my hips, moving so fast I’m not sure I won’t bruise something.
“Oh my god, yes Chayton,” she cries out and claws at my back, when I go deep.
I want the marks. I hope she digs her nails in and leave her marks all over me. That’s how good this pussy is. It makes me want to wrap it in aluminum foil like Elizabeth does her leftovers and save it for later.
I place my arms under her thighs, lift her legs higher and pull her further to the edge of the counter until her ass hangs off the side. I dive so far inside her she screams and curses at the same time. I plan to fuck her until she loses her voice.
Elizabeth wraps her arms around my neck tighter, trying to hold on for the ride I’m taking her on. Still not feeling as if I’m deep enough, I pull her even further off the counter, her entire ass is hanging off the edge. I grunt as I feel the first signs of her orgasm. Her pussy walls ripple around me in an attempt to make me come with her. I fight off the feeling, stealing strength from my wolf.
“Oh fuck, yes, you feel good,” she keens as she soaks my dick down to the balls with her cum.
Not getting enough of her, I remove her from the counter completely. She tightens her arms around my neck as she gasps. I lift her up only to allow gravity to drop her down on my dick. She squeals and then moans.
I continue to bounce her up and down on me while walking her into the bedroom, my hands buried in the flesh of her full ass. We make it to the bed without missing a beat or me having to slide out of her slickness. I drop her on the bed as gently as possible, before climbing on with her.
I flip her onto her side and shove her top knee up toward her chest, making her pussy smile for me. She looks down her body at me as I grab my shaft and stroke it, moving her cream around on it. I then point the head toward her opening and slide home.
She groans as I settle. Gripping her ass cheek and holding it apart with one hand, I get the perfect view of my tan dick sliding into her beautiful pink pussy. It’s mesmerizing to watch, even more spectacular to see how wet and shiny my member is each time it comes out.
Her hand lands on my chest, I knock it away and growl at her attempt to keep me from claiming what’s now mine. I’ve thought of this pussy every day since the first time she gave it to me. No way will I not take all of it now.
“No matter how hard I try, I can’t get deep enough,” I argue mostly to myself.
“Fuck,” she cries when I drive into her. “I think you’re pretty damn deep,” she whimpers.
Pulling out and flipping her over onto her stomach, I lift her luscious ass up while placing my hand between her shoulder blades, keeping her pinned to the bed. I plunge back into her slippery depths, and she hisses. I proceed to fuck her as if I’m angry.
“Chayton, I’m coming, oh god, I’m coming again,” she whimpers.
She doesn’t have to tell me, I know. I can feel the slippery grip tightening on me. She screams when her body starts to thrash beneath me in another orgasm.
I try to fight it, but this time not even my wolf can save me. Her pussy walls rip my seed out of me. I splash her walls as I toss my head back and roar.
“Yes. Give her a cub.” my wolf finally falls into the background, completely satiated.
I know he thinks this will lead to a pregnancy, but it will not. I’ll get some tea from Pheadra in the morning to make sure nothing comes of this night.
When I’m finally done, I pull out and fall to the bed beside her.
Elizabeth curls up beside me and I wrap an arm around her tucking her into my side. We’re silent for a while allowing our heart rates to level out. The only sound in the house is the quiet ticking of her grandfather clock.
For a second, I worry that I was too rough. In my eagerness, I may have been a bit aggressive. Even though she sounded as if she enjoyed it, I still didn’t want to hurt her.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
She traces her fingers over the shifter markings on my shoulder.
“I’ve never felt better,” she says, and I can feel her smile against my arm.
“We will rest before the next round.”
She tilts her head up and her wide eyes look back at me in shock. I laugh at her expression. She joins in. I’m only half joking. Trust me, there will be a few more rounds tonight, but I’m going to give her time to recover.
She goes back to tracing my tattoo. I place my attention up at the ceiling feeling like a proud Alpha with his Luna in his arms.
“Can I ask you something?” she asks softly, her question cuts through my thoughts.
“Yes.”
“What happened between you and Miko’s mother?”
I stiffen, not wanting to rehash that story to her. “I’m not sure that’s the type of thing we should talk about after sex,” I tease.
She laughs lightly, placing her chin on the back of her hand as she looks up at me. I’m always blown away over how stunning she is.
“I want to know what she did, so I know your triggers and what not to do.”
As bad as I don’t want to talk about Kamyra, I can’t refuse Elizabeth when all she wants to do is make us work.
I sigh, running my free hand through my sweat dampened hair. “True mates are very rare for our kind. They are something that’s considered a blessing. Finding a mate that the moon goddess has chosen for you is a privilege.”
“How do you know when they are chosen for you?”
“First, the circumstance of how you meet. When two people who have no business ever seeing each other somehow find one another. Second, there’s an instant connection. My wolf and I both will feel drawn to our mate. The bond to a true mate is so strong it’s said they show signs of being mates even before sealing the union.”
I leave out the part about how Kamyra and my bond was never that strong. Everything else from the crazy circumstances of us meeting, to both me and my wolf feeling drawn to her all happened.
“Well, what happened?” she asks.
“I happened. I wanted a child right away. I’ve always wanted a house full. Kamyra wasn’t exactly in agreement, but she reluctantly gave in.
“Everything was going well with the pregnancy. Phaedra was overseeing it. She was proud of how strong the baby was. Then that night.” I pause taking a few minutes to process my feelings. “I was away at work. She went into labor early. I knew something was wrong because she wasn’t due for another four weeks.
“When I first saw Miko, only a helpless ball of fur. I tried to make myself see an abomination. A failure of the design. However, all I saw is my son.”
The soft touch of her hand stroking my face brings me back to the moment, away from the sadness of that night. “She knew the rules of the pack. Any child born weak couldn’t survive. The pack is only as strong as its weakest member. She wanted to follow the rules, but I couldn’t do it. They wanted to break our bond. Said I was the cause of it. That having a healthy female wolf locked into a bond with an underserving male was a waste.”
“That’s bullshit. You two were meant to be together. The moon goddess chose her for you,” she argues for me. I find it endearing she feels strongly for me about this.
“They didn’t care. I watched her battle with her need to please the pack and love me.”
“Let me guess, she chose the pack?” I look down into her frowning face and smile. I run my thumb over the angry line in her forehead smoothing it out.
“I chose it for her. In her old pack, she was treated harshly by the members. They were jealous of her beauty and kindness. She never felt like she belonged.
“She left and found our pack. She craved acceptance. Wanted to be a member of our pack so badly she let them talk her out of our mating bond. I don’t hold it against her. In fact, I opted to allow her to break the bond, accepting the repercussions. That night I took my son, and with Pheadra, Enzo, and Torak I formed my own pack.”
“Good for you. Your pack seems much better than your old one. And you know what, fuck your ex too. She didn’t deserve you or Miko.”
My loud boisterous laugh fills the silence of the house. “Thank You,” I say, pulling her up my body so I can take from her lips again. What was supposed to be a quick kiss turns into the second of four rounds.